Like many Caribbean Islands, the first inhabitants were Amerindians. Columbus sighted the islands in 1493. The islands were once a haven for pirates. The Dutch were the first Europeans to make permanent settlement, but in 1672 BVI was annexed by Britain.

Top left: Belmont Mound is an important Taino site. Bottom Left: Excavations at Belmont discovered Taino petroglyphs (photo Dr Peter Drewett); Top right: A reconstruction of one of Columbus' ships; Bottom right: the British Warship HMS Boreas, at BVI, depicted in a commemorative stamp.

(Features of Other Interest, including Cultural, 1 of 7 - Slide ref. 525)